Arrest Made After Devastating Shooting of Minnesota Lawmakers in Historic Manhunt**

Vance Luther Boelter, apprehended armed but peacefully, is linked to the killings of Melissa and Mark Hortman, and has also shot and wounded Senator John Hoffman and his wife. The event prompted strong reactions from state officials who condemned the violence as politically motivated.**

 

A massive two-day manhunt in Minnesota has concluded with the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, a 57-year-old man, suspected of killing state Democrat lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. State officials described the incident as a "politically motivated assassination," with Governor Tim Walz leading the charge in condemning the attack as "unspeakable."

Boelter was apprehended on Sunday night in a rural area surrounding Minneapolis, armed at the time but surrendered peacefully. Authorities suggest that he shot and wounded Democratic State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, both of whom are now recovering in hospital. Yvette stated that they feel "incredibly lucky to be alive" after the ordeal.

The suspect's capture followed an extensive search that involved aerial units and SWAT teams, marking it as one of the largest manhunts in Minnesota's history. Boelter was tracked down after investigators located a car he reportedly used in Sibley County, approximately 50 miles from the scene of the crime in Brooklyn Park.

During a press briefing, Governor Walz reflected on how this attack has altered the state, insisting that such acts of political violence cannot become normalized. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey similarly urged for accountability in these abhorrent actions that threaten the integrity of democracy.

Prior to the attacks, Boelter allegedly impersonated a police officer before exchanging gunfire with police during his escape from the suburban Minneapolis area. His connection with the victims runs deep; Hortman had been a prominent figure in the Minnesota House of Representatives for two decades, having served as Speaker from 2019 until 2025.

Boelter, a former political appointee and seasoned security contractor, has worked overseas in various capacities. Reports mention that a list of potential "targets" was discovered in the vehicle he drove, drawing attention to other notable names, including Governor Walz and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. Local law enforcement is notifying those on the list in neighboring states, indicating the seriousness of the threat posed by Boelter's actions.

Though details remain scarce, Drew Evans from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension refrained from labeling the notebook found in Boelter's vehicle as a "manifesto," suggesting it lacked the depth typically associated with such documents, yet it raises alarming questions about the intention behind the shooting spree.